RUMFORD — James W. Paquette, 78, of John F. Kennedy Lane, formerly of Somerset apartments, died Thursday, June 17, at Rumford Community Home, following a brief illness. Joining him was his special niece, Amy Jean Parent, who died the same day.

He was born in Rumford on Jan. 4, 1932, a son of Clarence and Sadie M. (McAulay) Paquette.

He attended St. Athanasius and Stephens High School, and later meat cutting school in Ohio. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War in the K-9 Corps. He was employed as a meat cutter in Laconia, N.H., and was a furniture mover with Joe Wooters.

He loved reading, walking, working outdoors and doing favors for his neighbors.

He will be remembered as a kind and gentle person with a smile that lit up his face.

Surviving are his sisters, Jean Blanchard of Mexico, and Charlene Lasko and husband, Jack, of Auburn; a brother-in-law, Frank Fasanella of Fla.; a sister-in-law, Esther Paquet of Conn.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; two sisters, Ruth Arsenault and Florence Fasanella; and a brother, George Paquet.